A mainstream pub with a bit of history near the heart of Manchester’s shopping district.

The Venue
Formerly the Hogshead and originally the Wheatsheaf, The English Lounge occupies a prime position on the High Street just by the infamous Arndale shopping centre. It has a colourful history: back in 1882 a barmaid was trapped in the pub and had to be rescued after part of the building collapsed following a severe thunderstorm.

Yes, it was raining in Manchester back then too. It’s a nice stone building from the outside with its hanging flower baskets. The entrance is black and white tiled and a sign states there’s strictly no admission to football tops or baseball caps - or the people wearing them. Inside it’s pretty spacious with alcoves for a bit of privacy. The colours are light and airy and overall there’s a comfortable, familiar feel about the place.

The People
A mixed, mainstream crowd gathers at The English Lounge, mainly the over-30s coming in for a pint or a glass of wine. It’s a sedate enough place to sit and chat with friends or read a paper on your own. There’s also plenty of passing trade thanks to the shopping centre.

The Food and Drink
The English Lounge carries a great selection of real ales with guest ales on rotation. They include Everard’s Original, Bombadier, Old Speckled Hen, Deuchar’s IPA, Pedigree and Golden Pippin, alongside Guinness, Carling, Strongbow and Amstel on draught. The wine list isn’t too bad either and they also do pub grub and bar snacks all day until 7pm.

The Last Word
A nice, central spot for a bite to eat, a coffee or something harder. And there hasn’t been any trouble here since that episode with the barmaid.

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